How to compress caliper to fit new pads - 2000 Volkswagen Beetle

Posted / edited by AnonymousUser on : 21-01-2019

Answers :

Use a "C" clamp. Position on the piston and when you tighten it up it will compress the piston in the caliper. Remember to loosen the cap to your master cylinder, as you will be forcing brake fluid back into it. When you remove the "C" clamp the caliper will stay open long enough to align on the rotor.

There is two styles, ratcheting (normally found in the rear disk) and piston style.

to quickly identify which one you have , the ratcheting type have 2 V shaped cutouts where the inner pad sits in the caliper and the piston type will either be flat or look like a ring , the tool used for the ratcheting style needs to be turned clockwise and compressed all at the same time. the tool used for piston type is just a compression type tool.

before compressing , take the cap off the master cylinder to give the brake fluid room to raise , after you compress the caliper and reassemble the brakes, put the master cap back on and pump the brakes (1/4 of the way down) never to the floor